POP/ROCK - July 5, 1990

Tunes of Wisdom: A college in northern England announced Wednesday that it was launching the world’s first degree in pop music, but warned students not to expect to sing and dance their way to an “A.” “This will be a demanding academic course of great rigor,” said organizer Keith Wilson. The three-year course starts at Salford College of Technology, not far from the Beatles’ home town of Liverpool, in September, 1990, and there will be 30 places. George Martin, who produced some of the Beatles’ greatest hits, agreed to be patron of the course, and scholarships in John Lennon’s name of $3,600 will be awarded to three students each year.